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Before he could head home to Virginia and enjoy his mother’s cooking – a favorite annual offseason activity – 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks got an invitation from some teammates this winter: Stay here, sacrifice and sweat.

Sound like fun?

Brooks signed up.

So long, sausage and okra. Hello, bench presses and squats.

“We suggested that it would be better for him to work out here with us, and he listened,” defensive tackle Ray McDonald said. “Ahmad saw the results guys got from working with (head strength coach) Mark Uyeyama, he saw guys were getting stronger and faster when they stayed out here and trained.”

Entering tonight’s preseason opener against the Vikings at Candlestick Park, Brooks, 28, believes he’s faster, stronger and leaner than he’s been in his six-year NFL career.

Without question, he’s richer.

A onetime connoisseur of the nightlife who played in 13 games and had two sacks in his first three NFL seasons, Brooks signed a six-year, $44.5 million contract extension in February. The payday was a clear sign the 49ers believed Brooks, a Butkus Award finalist at Virginia who was baptized in February, finally had the attitude to match his ability.

“I feel like more of a professional now,” Brooks said. “Once you get into the NFL, you don’t understand everything it takes to be a professional. I think I learned that over the course of the years. I understood what was my downfall.

“I understood what my problem was off the field. That plays a huge part in me trying to be a top player in the NFL. I took initiative and said, ‘Hey, man, I can’t do this anymore.’ ”

In his first season as a starter, in 2011, Brooks tied for 13th in the NFL among outside linebackers in sacks (seven) and added 59 tackles. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio believes he can offer “a whole lot more” as a pass-rusher this season, and Brooks is eager to deliver.

Brooks’ body fat is down (from about 20 percent to 16 percent) and he believes an offseason of squats – a lower-body-strengthening exercise he hadn’t done for several years – will allow to him get better leverage on hulking offensive tackles.

“I feel a lot more in shape on the field, play to play,” Brooks said. “Just running to the ball, (I’m) feeling a little bit more swift out there.”

Both Jim Harbaugh and Fangio have noted that Brooks’ contract extension hasn’t dulled his desire. His wallet has grown fat, but he’s gotten leaner.

McDonald, who delivered a stellar season in 2011 after signing a five-year, $20 million deal, said Brooks has proven he’s willing to pay the price for success.

“It just goes to show you the kind of character we have on this team,” McDonald said. “Just because a guy like Ahmad gets paid doesn’t mean he’s going to shut it down. We want to show we’re worth that money we’re getting paid.”

Friday’s game

Who: 49ers vs. Vikings

Where: Candlestick Park

When: 6 p.m.

TV/Radio: Channel: 5 Channel: 13 Channel: 46 /810

Exhibition schedule

Date

Opponent

Time

Aug. 10

Minnesota

6 p.m.

Aug. 18

at Houston

5 p.m.

Aug. 26

at Denver

1 p.m.

Aug. 30

San Diego

7:05 p.m.

Whom to watch

Five players to watch during tonight’s preseason opener against the Vikings:

QB Colin Kaepernick: The second-string signal-caller was knocked on his rear during last year’s preseason (23.9 rating), but it wasn’t a fair fight. He was a rookie entering the NFL after a lockout and he’d played in a pistol offense in college. His second exhibition season will offer a better gauge.

DT/TE Demarcus Dobbs: A two-way player during training camp, Dobbs’ potential as a tight end has prompted a change in his jersey number, from 96 to 40. He made the team as an undrafted rookie last year. He could stick this season thanks to his versatility.

CB Perrish Cox: After sitting out last year due to legal issues, Cox has flashed excellent speed and coverage skills in training camp. He could carve out a role as the No. 4 cornerback if his performance carries over into preseason games.

WR A.J. Jenkins: Of course, you have to watch the No. 1 pick, especially when he’s been this scrutinized before his first exhibition game. Jenkins strung together two excellent practices this week after being largely quiet during camp.